In January 2018, WHELF members came together to launch a scheme of free, reciprocal, inter-library borrowing. This was made possible by our shared use of the Ex-Libris Alma Library Management System, which allows us to use core system functionality to lend print and digital resources to each other, free of charge.
We monitored usage during an initial pilot phase, and in August 2018 implemented a tiered rota system, to ensure that usage of the scheme is distributed fairly. This rota is now monitored by the WHELF+ Working Group and adjusted every four months as usage dictates.
The scheme has been an amazing success, in 2024 the member libraries saved over £136K in total. As well as the undoubted financial benefit, it has also led to much greater co-operation and knowledge sharing between participating institutions.
The scheme proved so successful, that in 2021, with the backing of Ex-Libris and the British Library, we began rolling out membership to non-WHELF institutions (hence the ‘+’ in ‘WHELF+’!). There are now 33 institutions, covering a good geographical spread and a wide range of teaching and research specialities, reaping the benefits of WHELF+ membership. During 2024 we were pleased to welcome our first non-UK member, Brandeis University in the USA; and, with more institutions expressing an interest in joining, and the potential of using new Alma functionality to automate processes further, the scheme has a bright future.
Read the WHELF+ SLA to learn more about how the scheme operates
If you would like to know about the scheme, please email Jenny McNally, WHELF LMS Business Manager
Current WHELF+ members:
Aberystwyth University
Bangor University
Brandeis University
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Cardiff University
Durham University
Glasgow Caledonian University.
Harper Adams University
Imperial College London
Kingston University
London School of Economics
London South Bank University
Natural History Museum
Newcastle University
Northumbria University
Queen’s University Belfast
Royal Holloway, University of London
Swansea University
University of Cumbria
University of Essex
University of Exeter
University of Huddersfield
University of Leeds
University of Leicester
University of Liverpool
University of Manchester
University of Salford
University of South Wales
University of Sussex
University of the West of England
University of Wales Trinity Saint David
University of Westminster
University of Winchester
University of York
Wrexham University